Ileal electrical stimulation

Abstract

The disclosure is a method of treatment for obesity, in an individual in need thereof comprising positioning stimulatory electrodes in the distal small intestines or ileum, and administering electrical stimulation in trains of pulses or repetitive pulses, where the electrical stimulation is effective, at least in part in, stimulating the vagal afferent and efferent activity, of the distal small intestines or ileum, in the individual. The stimulation of the vagal afferent and efferent activity leads to the regulation of the ileal brake. Specifically, the electrical stimulation is provided in trains of pulses. Also, described is a method of treatment for functional gastrointestinal disease by ileal electrical stimulation. Further this invention provides a method of treatment for an eating disorder comprising administering ileal electrical stimulation effective, at least in part, in stimulating the vagal and sympathetic pathways. The stimulatory electrodes are placed by laparoscopic, endoscopic or surgical means.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of treatment for obesity, in an individual in need thereof, said method comprising: positioning a pair of stimulatory electrodes in contact with the distal small intestine or ileum of said individual; and administering electrical stimulation, wherein said electrical stimulation is configured to effectively stimulate vagal afferent and efferent activity, and regulate the ileal brake. 
     
     
       2. The method of  claims 1 , wherein the electrical stimulation is administered in trains of pulses. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , wherein said electrical stimulation is composed of trains of pulses, with a train on time from 0.1 s to 10 s, train off time from 0s to 10 s, and pulses in each train with amplitude of 0.1 mA to 20 mA (or voltage equivalent), width of 0.1 ms to 20 ms and frequency of 0.1 Hz to 200 Hz. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 2 , wherein said electrical stimulation is composed of repetitive long train of pulses with a width of 5 ms to 2000 ms, amplitude of 0.1 mA to 20 mA and frequency of 1 pulse/min to 60 pulses/min. 
     
     
       5. The method  claim 1 , wherein said pair of stimulatory electrodes are positioned about 1 cm to 10 cm apart. 
     
     
       6. The method  claim 1 , wherein said individual suffers from a functional gastrointestinal disease. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6 , wherein said functional gastrointestinal disease is selected from the group consisting of functional dyspepsia, irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea, constipation, fecal incontinence, visceral hypersensitivity and visceral pain. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claims 1 , wherein said individual suffers from an eating disorder. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said individual suffers from diabetes. 
     
     
       10. A method of treatment for functional gastrointestinal disease, in an individual in need thereof, said method comprising: positioning stimulatory electrodes in contact with the distal small intestine or ileum; and administering electrical stimulation, wherein the electrical stimulation is configured to effectively regulate gastric emptying and the ileal brake. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , wherein said functional gastrointestinal disease is selected from the group consisting of dumping syndrome, postprandial hyperglycemia, irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea, visceral hypersensitivity and pain. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 10 , wherein said electrical stimulation is composed of short trains of pulses, with a train on time from 0.1 to 10 s, train off time from 0 to 10 s, and pulses in each train with amplitude of 0.1 to 20 mA (or voltage equivalent), width of 0.1 ms to 20 ms and frequency of 0.1 Hz to 200 Hz. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 10 , wherein said electrical stimulation is composed of repetitive long train of pulses with a width of 5 ms to 2000 ms, amplitude of 0.1 mA to 20 mA and frequency of 1 to 60 pulses/min. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 10 , wherein said pair of stimulatory electrodes are positioned about 1 cm to 10 cm apart. 
     
     
       15. A method of treatment for a metabolic disease, in an individual in need thereof, comprising: positioning stimulatory electrodes in contact with the distal small intestine or ileum, and administering electrical stimulation wherein the electrical stimulation is configured to effectively stimulate vagal afferent and efferent activity, and regulate the ileal brake. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15 , wherein said metabolic disease is diabetes.